Details on Como resignation scant

In a surprise move that took place in the first week of school, Coatesville Area School District Superintendent Richard Como announced his resignation Thursday night.

Como has spent more than half of his 42 years in public education at CASD.

“The time has come to retire,” he says in his resignation letter posted on the school district’s website.

On Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon, the Daily Local News received various tips and inquiries regarding Como’s resignation, but district representatives could not be reached at the time to confirm the information. Como was not present at Tuesday night’s board meeting.

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Other tips and inquiries included the possible departure of Coatesville Senior High School Athletic Director Jim Donato. When asked in several telephone calls Friday, School board solicitor James Ellison repeatedly refused to comment on Donato’s status. It isn’t known if the athletic director remains employed by the school district.

According to Ellison, Como requested his announcement to be made public.

“I don’t know how long he has been thinking about his resignation,” Ellison said, adding the district followed Como’s wishes. “That was his goodbye to the community.”

“Throughout the last eight years, vision and hard work have positioned the Coatesville Area School District to achieve success now and into the future. The budget has been set and curriculum changes have been implemented. In addition, staffing decisions have been finalized and executed,” Como says in his letter. “At this time, the process of educating students rests primarily in the hands of building level staff . . . I am confident and assured that the timing is right to announce my retirement.”

According to the announcement, assistant superintendent Angelo Romaniello will temporarily step in as superintendent until the board can find a permanent replacement.

Romaniello spent nine years as an administrator at the high school and CASD central administration offices. He has been assistant superintendent after receiving his doctorate from Immaculate University in 2010.

He could not be reached for immediate comment.

“I would like to thank the board of school directors for allowing me to serve our Coatesville Area School District community,” Como says in his letter. “I wish you all the very best.”